I'm really surprised you found the xstar to be more responsive. I've never driven an X25, and to be honest i kinda thought my star was a hog when loaded. I'm glad they're offering tracking fins on all the models now. Still excited to drive mattscraft's 6.2 X25, although i think i might have to wait a couple years for that...

there is a HP difference between the two motors... since the LY6 has straight pipes (should be pretty darn loud) and no cats its a true 400 hp motor.

I'm really surprised you found the xstar to be more responsive. I've never driven an X25, and to be honest i kinda thought my star was a hog when loaded. I'm glad they're offering tracking fins on all the models now. Still excited to drive mattscraft's 6.2 X25, although i think i might have to wait a couple years for that...

there is a HP difference between the two motors... since the LY6 has straight pipes (should be pretty darn loud) and no cats its a true 400 hp motor.

With the deep v, the X25 suffers in handling and acceleration compared to the XStar. The plus side, is that it requires less ballast than the XStar, and will behave better with the lighter load. The other plus side is a better rough water ride.

Great info. I like hearing about the comparison between the star and X25. I'm surprised that the engines would feel so different. I can relate though. I've got the same engine as you in my boat and continue to be impressed with the performance and agility. I came from a 197 and was expecting a 4200#, 22 foot boat to be a barge. Boy was I wrong. That thing is a rocket and handles like a much smaller boat.

Didnt get to ride as the intent was to make sure everything worked. With ballast full (3 tanks) the wake did not appear as high as an X25 with full stock ballast, but was close. With the tanks empty, at 20mph, the wake was super clean and somewhat mellow and rampy (not lippy).

For the acceleration and top speed... I can say it was a huge difference from what I have been used to with my previous 2011 and 2012 X25s. The boat quickly got up to 45mph, but I eased back on the throttle, so i never let it settle at WOT.